Happy Tuesday,

📚 It's Banned Books Week. More than 10,000 books were banned from public schools in the 2023-2024 academic year, nearly triple the number from the previous year, according to preliminary findings from PEN America, a group that advocates for freedom of expression. To celebrate books and how important fighting against censorship is, here's a nifty story about community building that LGBTQ+ book clubs can foster. From Virginia to Texas, LGBTQ+ book clubs are growing, allowing queer book lovers to come together, hang out, and explore some new literary worlds.

📣 Sometimes, the far-right is just going to far-right, you know what I mean? A recent report seems to have outed an anti-LGBTQ+ education activist as a former gay adult film actor. Online users were quick to point out the hypocrisy. Another right-winger, Valentina Gomez — who made a name for herself by posting videos on social media using anti-LGBTQ+ slurs and a flamethrower — had her Instagram disabled. It's about time. 🔥

In other news:

• Donald Trump’s latest anti-transgender attack on Kamala Harris ‘reeks of desperation,’ advocates say
• D.C. police consider hate crimes charges for suspect arrested after second vandalism attack on Little Gay Pub
• Second man pleads guilty in death of trans activist Cecilia Gentili
• Project 2025 architect allegedly admitted to killing neighbor’s dog: report

Onward and upward,

Alex Cooper